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NEW DELHI: India's top counter-terrorism agency has uncovered a suspected plot by a banned militant group to assassinate the prime minister of Bangladesh and carry out a coup, three senior Indian security officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

India will hand over a dossier to Bangladesh with details of the plan by members of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, which has carried out scores of attacks in India's eastern neighbour, the government and police officials said.

Bangladesh did not comment directly on the assertions that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had been the target of a plot, but said it had tightened security on the border with India.

The alleged conspiracy was discovered after two members of the group were killed in an explosion while building homemade bombs at a house in West Bengal in eastern India earlier this month.

Indian police say the militants were Bangladeshis and were using India as a safe haven to plan the attacks.

“The strategy was to hit the political leaders of the country and demolish the democratic infrastructure of Bangladesh,” said a senior Indian Home (interior) Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“This was all being planned on Indian soil and we could have been blamed if there was an attack.”

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Monday visited the house where the blasts took place and met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss the situation.

The revelations come against a backdrop of political friction earlier this year between Indian nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Banerjee.

On one campaign stop in West Bengal before his general election victory in May, Modi said illegal immigrants from Bangladesh should get their “bags packed” if he came to power.

Analysts said the speech sought to mobilise Modi's Hindu support base against Banerjee, who leads a regional party in West Bengal that is backed by many of the Muslims who make up a quarter of the state's 90 million population.

Asaduzzaman Khan, Bangladesh's junior home minister, said Dhaka had been tipped off about a possible militant plot.

“We have received this information unofficially from India about a terror threat to top politicians in Dhaka. This is the first time there has been such information,” said Khan.

“We are always serious about curbing the activities of the militants. After the news from India our (security) efforts have been raised manifold.” West Bengal Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee declined to comment.

Modi reached out to leaders of neighbouring countries as soon as he was elected, inviting them to his inauguration as prime minister, and he sent his foreign minister to Dhaka to establish friendly relations. However, border disputes and water sharing remain unresolved issues between the two countries.

Massive attacks

The Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen also planned to assassinate the country's main opposition leader, Khaleda Zia, the Indian officials said.

Prime Minister Hasina and her chief rival, Zia, have dominated the country's politics for more than a decade.

The security officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the record, did not say how the militants planned to carry out the assassinations.

The outlawed Jamaat-ul-Mujihadeen detonated nearly 500 bombs almost simultaneously on one day in 2005 across Bangladesh, including in the capital, Dhaka.

Its militants later carried out suicide attacks on several courthouses, killing 25 people and injuring hundreds.

Earlier this year, gunmen opened fire and tossed bombs at a security van carrying members of the group on the way to court.

“The group were a very serious threat in 2005 and up to 2008, but they have now been very badly decimated,” said Ajay Sahini, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi that monitors militant groups across South Asia.

“The group's leadership has been eroded, which means their planning capability and capacities for execution have been seriously limited.”

India has arrested at least six people tied to the coup plot, according to the National Investigation Agency, the law enforcement institution investigating the case.

Local police found nearly five dozen crude bombs and arrested two women who were living in the same house and were trying to burn bomb-making manuals after the incident. In a nearby home police found 35 unexploded bombs.

Comments (82) Closed

Great! Indian Intelligence agencies are so efficient. Good to see they are helping other countries too.

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Ammy

Oct 28, 2014 08:59pm

An inspiration to Pakistan , to keep its neighbours safe. This brings more solidarity and builds trust.

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Karachiite

Oct 28, 2014 09:03pm

Would be a fair and a just headline if it said India "claims" to have uncovered suspected plots!

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Sunil

Oct 28, 2014 09:11pm

Bangladesh PM, must be overwhelmed by this gesture, uncovering a plot.

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Indian Muslim

Oct 28, 2014 09:12pm

Why can't these Bangladeshi's live in peace ?

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Akram

Oct 28, 2014 09:17pm

Thanks India..ur agencies r doing great job.India is the biggest player in south asia to bring peace.Hope there may b environment against terrorism in any form at any soil.We banglas r thankful to India always

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gary

Oct 28, 2014 09:41pm

that show build trust with neighbors.to get a good neighbor be one first

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Shah

Oct 28, 2014 09:45pm

Just sick and tired of all the killings going on in the world. Somebody please invent a long distant rocket and send me to the nearest planetary system where no human has ever set a foot. Being a human I will surely ruin that planet too. My dear God!

I hope RAW was not involved in the plot. Seems like a pubic stunt to happy the puppet Hasina.

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Calcutta Man

Oct 28, 2014 10:07pm

@Sana Batool

It is not a publicity stunt...I live in Bengal, the state where this has happened, and it's been in the news for about a week now

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Javs Iban

Oct 28, 2014 10:13pm

@gary Your "Good neighbor" India is about to become your good owner.

Javs

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drimran

Oct 28, 2014 10:23pm

another bollywood style news and plot of indian intelligence. what would our world be like if there were no indian intelligence .. lol

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MA

Oct 28, 2014 10:24pm

This whole is a drama after hanging an Islamic leader. Sadly, SHW creating more hostility and division within her nation as well as in the region.

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RR

Oct 28, 2014 10:26pm

Good Reporting Dawn. None of the Indian newspapers reported this aspect. No wonder lot of Indians visit here.

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Sana

Oct 28, 2014 10:29pm

@Karachiite Bangladesh and Indian intelligence are working together continuously.

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sm

Oct 28, 2014 10:33pm

@Shah Don't be so disheartened buddy. There are still a large number of good people around. May you find peace and happiness dude.

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Hasan

Oct 28, 2014 10:34pm

Why is India being used by militants as a safe haven? Ring a bell anyone?

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Moh

Oct 28, 2014 10:50pm

lol, Indian Intelligence, unfold the plot but could not unfold the plot in their own country..

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aiema

Oct 28, 2014 11:26pm

@Hasan
it was west bengal, UP, ruled by self announced seculars. only BJP is the solution there. west bengal, TMC is alllowing illegal Bangladeshis as their votebank politics. wait and see BJP will come there too.

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chai

Oct 28, 2014 11:45pm

@Karachiite No it wouldn't be, because lot of tangible direct evidence has been recovered.

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zahid

Oct 28, 2014 11:59pm

@Ammy what trust?? First stop supporting terrorism in balochistan then talk about building trust its very well documented your pitajee the u.s has many times pointed out India interfering in balochistan

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Erik

Oct 28, 2014 11:59pm

@Ammy India should also eliminate its rogue intelligence officials who are supporting TTP.

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NORI

Oct 29, 2014 12:51am

@Erik

"India should also eliminate its rogue intelligence officials who are supporting TTP."

Civilized countries don't have any rogue elements in their armed forces or intelligence agencies. Remember, India court martialed General rank officers in India for wrong doings. If Indian agencies support or target some one, the decision is from political leadership.

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prashant

Oct 29, 2014 12:58am

dawn is doing very good job.........

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imran

Oct 29, 2014 12:58am

India protecting its asset in Bangladesh, How do we really know there was a plot in the first place? Indian propoganda as usual.

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Muhammad Riyaz

Oct 29, 2014 01:31am

Surprisingly, India as yet did not accuse Pakistan for this plot, may be Indians themselves have hatched this plot.

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harith

Oct 29, 2014 03:01am

@Akram the realities are different; our problem is not with Bangladesh or your govt; the real problem is with our Bengal govt as we have a CM called Mamatha, who doesnt understand any thing

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Johar

Oct 29, 2014 03:55am

@Indian Christian - it wasnt the intelligence but an explosion in the house

@Indian Christian. I am not sure you fully comprehend English. The militants were making a crude bomb in the home which exploded and two alleged militants were killed. The women in the house burned bom making manuals. These people were not even under surveillance of Indian authorities. Indian Intelleigence did not do anything to uncover the plot, you may call it a lucky break

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 29, 2014 05:03am

What else can they do except to instill fear into the hearts and minds of ordinary people on one pretext or the other?

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Jasky

Oct 29, 2014 05:32am

@zahid it is well documented pitajee U.S. only belongs to you guys, who is feeding you all these years, otherwise you would have bankrupted. Now all of you looking towards China to get adopted, brand new pita and how we are going to forget Parliament, Mumbai attack, punjab. If you want to live in peace, let us too.

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amit

Oct 29, 2014 05:34am

Sting operation by indians to blame Muslims.

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Khalistani

Oct 29, 2014 05:34am

Rogue elements in Indian establishment are responsible for such activities, still have ties with lose canons that formed Muktis... Inidia needs to take a deep look and change the policies otherwise will have to pay a heavy price. Kashmir and Khalistan Zindabad.

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Alam

Oct 29, 2014 05:43am

Bollywood film story. Hero saves Heroin from goondas sent by himself.Heroin is impressed. BJM is blamed of doing what Hassena' father did at the same place in India. History repeats itself.

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Younis Khan

Oct 29, 2014 05:47am

Glad to see that India is doing what is correct response to such goons.
Time for others to learn and clear this dirt from their own country.

They are spoiling the name of our islam.

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Alam

Oct 29, 2014 06:21am

These conspiracies are hatched against Banerjee by BJP for grabbing power in West Bengal in the next elections. Ground work has been initiated. By admitting that West Bengal is being used as safe haven for terrorist activities in Bangladesh Indirectly the blame is shifted on Mamata Banergee' s government.
For making small home made bombs BJM don't have to do it in India. More risk of getting arrested while transporting from one country yo another. They will prefer to make in Bangladesh. Dirty politics

@zahid . You have read lot of conspiracy theory articles, come out of it into real life. It's simple give and take. What you bow is what you reap.state policy of raising such forces are backfiring in Pakistan. US could be your Pitaji, who can gate crash any time with drones and navy seals to pickup Osama like characters. Get out of stories man. Come to term. You would be in good health.

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AGK

Oct 29, 2014 07:42am

@imran: Propaganda? You mean like Pakistan claiming Kashmir to be a part of their country and winning in all wars against India?

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KRana

Oct 29, 2014 07:45am

@Muhammad Riyaz India does not need it everybody knows

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Anand

Oct 29, 2014 08:05am

@Javs Iban height of jealousy is seen in your statements...

What's an idea sirji.,...

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Shashi

Oct 29, 2014 08:28am

This issue has become major flashpoint between India and Bangladesh as money from Saradha scam was laundered through these channels. Indian agencies have warned Mamatha that West Bengal is sitting on time bomb. Need to provide all information to Bangladesh that they can also initiate action from their side. Mamatha need to proactively control law and order instead of blaming centre government

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Tanka

Oct 29, 2014 08:53am

@Waqar : Agree.

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Alarmed Khan

Oct 29, 2014 08:56am

@Indian Christian: Maybe you could avoid wearing your religion on your posting sleeve? Then readers would be able to judge your objectivity based on your posts! My username is a nom de plume.

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Alarmed Khan

Oct 29, 2014 08:59am

@Indian Muslim; noboyd these days can live in peace-- er --maybe only in Finland!

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Alarmed Khan

Oct 29, 2014 09:06am

@Hasan: There are a lot of B/deshis working illegally in India. The irony is that if there had been no partition, they would be there LEGALLY and earning their living more securely!

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Akram

Oct 29, 2014 09:09am

@Javs Iban we got rid of the good " Owner" with the help of India.India is a Genuine Country with some ethics.

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Alarmed Khan

Oct 29, 2014 09:11am

@Muhammad Riyaz: Good job! Keep rehearsing the conspiracy theory!

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Alarmed Khan

Oct 29, 2014 09:14am

@Irfan Baloch : I thought Bilal B. was the new Minister for Ending World Hungar!

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Akram

Oct 29, 2014 09:24am

@Waqar thats not ryt bro.Bangladesh has its own identity we may be thankful to India for supporting our freedom and making us free from goons in 71.but it dsnt mean Bangladesh cant handle anything at its own.Now we on the path to developing nation.at least we r not bankrupt& depend on aids.we earn and we run.

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Tota Ram Verma

Oct 29, 2014 09:36am

@zahid , the moment Pakistan stops terrorism , India will do the same in Baluchistan... it is just give and take principle...

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the eddy

Oct 29, 2014 10:02am

@Indian Muslim Bangladeshis are peaceful . Almost all Bangla fundamentalist are related to Pakistan's JUI , atleast at foundational level

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James

Oct 29, 2014 10:31am

@Erik

You mean "Imran Khan"

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piyush

Oct 29, 2014 10:49am

@Akram Thanks bro

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azizur

Oct 29, 2014 11:32am

All are the black policy of India. Actually India with this per text try to invade Bangladesh to vanish Anti Awami league group or actual muslim group. All of us know only india supported govt. are existing in Bangladesh. India is implementing all its policy through Awami league. India capture all bangladesh. Like pakistan and China, the people of bangladesh want to destry india and we think Pakistan can do it. The real think is india USA and Isreal are working together to contain china and destry pakistan. So we think China and pakistan should do to break india into many parts that will be better for china, pakistan, Sri-lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh and you have to do it.

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Harsh

Oct 29, 2014 11:54am

We will not allow activities against our neighbor Bangladesh in India. We will not allow activities against our neighbor Pakistan 'in India'.

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BK

Oct 29, 2014 12:54pm

Bangladesh started punishing those who misused power during their liberation struggle and those involved in the assassination of Mr.Mujib. This brought lot of enemy's to Ms. Sheikh Hasina. It is good India is helping them. As regards muslims in West Bengal, majority of them are shifting from CPM/TMC to BJP.

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Akbaruddin

Oct 29, 2014 12:56pm

@Sana Batool, Your whole life is publicity stunt so it is natural that you guys see everything as such.

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akhan

Oct 29, 2014 01:12pm

@azizur whatever you said was a bouncer for me... :-|

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Vijai Murugan

Oct 29, 2014 01:38pm

@imran We will forward the dossiers to you and you may see for yourself.

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MJK

Oct 29, 2014 01:49pm

What a country, Bangladesh ! Ruled alternately by two squabbling women.

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Youth

Oct 30, 2014 12:57am

Ha! Ha! Ha! please peoples are intelligent enough to understand the hidden game. Every day we see this plot in KD Phatak serial Adalat. Make them, arrest them, blame them, create media hype & then order an inquiry. Its all a plot to punish some & later on find a string towards Pakistan. Old story new play-write

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Bangladeshi Hindu

Oct 30, 2014 02:52am

India is good neighbor of Bangladesh

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Bangladeshi Hindu

Oct 30, 2014 02:54am

@Krishan Gopal correct to writing

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sam

Oct 30, 2014 07:21am

@Iqhlaq Ahmed (lahore) NO NO NO .. its not about India's guts .. India has learnt a hard lesson (from Sri Lanka-LTTE, Khalistan etc fiasco) that what goes round, comes round with a sting !!! This is the initiative taken by BJP's Narendra Modi to root out all aspects of terrorism from the country. As long as the Congress were in power, they turned a blind eye towards terrorism.. Things have changed for the better !!! Earlier Mamata Banerjee was reluctant to even acknowledge this problem in her state of West-Bengal. After the meeting with Ajit Doval, she was force to change her attitude. Its the strong no-nonsense political will thats bringing about this interesting and much wanted change ...

@MJK
But a country thousand times better than your Pakistan living in conspiracy theories. A bunch of gutless ruling your country.

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Pc

Oct 30, 2014 11:33am

@Youth You people are sooooo intelligent and still your country is in this condition. Have you pondered over it: why you people feel that you know everything and still cannot come out of the mess.

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Aditya

Oct 30, 2014 02:00pm

This plot to kill both the Lady politicians wasn't mentioned in any Indian News.No wonder we Indians have to come to Dawn to check correct news about these so called Secular States of our country. Good job Dawn.

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rahul1

Oct 30, 2014 03:00pm

@Aditya Indian media is so obsessed with (psuedo )secularism & minority that other news doesnot interest them . BTW, Mr. Amit Baruah, not to be seen on dawn these days!!

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Sam

Oct 30, 2014 04:08pm

@Hasan : Becoz the so called secular politicians of West Bengal and the Congress party encouraged illegal migration from Bangladesh for a muslim vote base. Some of them even provide citizenship papers illegally to these migrants. So when the islamic militants were hounded in Bangladesh, they sought refuge in West Bengal. This why we elected Modi, to kick these so called secular politicians on their backsides.

Modi is exactly doing that, for which we voted him for.

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Azeem Mohammed

Oct 30, 2014 06:53pm

@Tota Ram Verma ..ha nice one..good reply..

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Tipu

Oct 31, 2014 06:05am

@prashant as long as anything suits Indian interst it's the best paper otherwise, ahhhhm..shhhhhh

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sk

Oct 31, 2014 06:24am

@Moh Because plots against India are made in another country, where there is no rule of law and the ruling elite work for narrow political gains. And India respects sovereignty of others not like pakistan who unable to rule own country peddles in affairs concerning others, claiming to be torchbearer of faith.

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just a friend

Oct 31, 2014 08:14am

@Hasan because India makes the mistake of allowing muslims, even non Indian ones to live there and this is how these ppl repay the good faith.